Before us stands Faith Baptist Church. It is a caring and worshipping community. This church transforms lives through the Holy Spirit. It magnifies God’s name.
Faith Baptist Church’s story began in 1957. It became a member of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches Inc. CPBC guides its mission. The mission involves bringing people to Christ. It also means disciplining them. They mature believers and equip them for ministry.
Faith Baptist Church is at 4 Bulletin Street in Quezon City. It stands on West Avenue.
Its roots trace back to 1898. Early Evangelical Christians came to the Philippines. The American Baptist Missionary Union started work in Panay and Iloilo Islands. From 1905 to 1907, they founded important institutions. These include Central Philippine University. Baptist Center Church was another. So was Iloilo Mission Hospital.
In 1928, Dr. Raphael Thomas arrived. He established the First Baptist Church of Manila. It was on Padre Faura Street. He was a missionary and a pioneer. He worked with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism ABWE. In 1956, the First Baptist Church of Manila ordained Rev Antonio F. Ormeo. He became their first Filipino pastor.
In 1973, the church moved to Project 6, Quezon City. This was a temporary location. Later, by God’s grace, a three-story structure was built. It was dedicated in 1981. Brethren in Singapore aided its construction. Work on a four-story church structure began during this time too.
Rev Antonio F. Ormeo retired in 1987. He had served the church for 32 challenging but successful years. That same year, Rev Ebenezer T. Nacita became interim senior pastor. By 1989, he was the Senior Pastor. Pastor Nacita stepped down in 2022. He now serves as a pastoral staff member at Faith Baptist Church.
Over the years, Faith Baptist Church has aided many churches. They offer pastoral training. They also offer counseling and rehabilitation. Church planting is another area. They support local and international missionaries. They run bible institutes. They equip churches. Churches become self-sufficient and self-managing.
Faith Baptist Church is also known as First Baptist Church of Manila FBCM. This church has seen many pastors. From 1928 to 1932, Dr Thomas, Dr Paul Culley, and USN Capt Ellis Skolfield led. They were pioneering pastors. Dr Russell Jones followed from 1932 to 1935. Rev Edward Bomm served from 1935 to 1936. Rev Samuel Fisk pastored from 1936 to 1940.
During World War II, Manila fell to Japanese forces. Missionaries faced incarceration in concentration camps. In 1951, the Far Eastern Council of Christian Churches FECCC formed at First Baptist Church of Manila. Pastor Ormeo was president.
Faith Fundamental Baptist Church was established in 1963. It has been operating since its creation. Pastor Edward Emborgo started at the church in 2008. He succeeded Pastor Romel Sanaw. The church has extended its ministry. It now includes a school setting for pre-school children. Currently, the church has around 50 members. Besides regular services, they conduct visitations. They also perform baptisms and soulwinning. Serenades for special occasions are part of their ministry.
Faith Baptist Church has a history of splits. These include splits within the Association of Fundamental Baptist Churches in the Philippines.
This church was evicted from Padre Faura in 1972. The Supreme Court of the Philippines ordered it. Martial Law had just been declared by President Ferdinand Marcos. The vacated building went to Manila Baptist Church.
Before the eviction, Loida Ormeo married Pastor Ebenezer Nacita. She was the eldest daughter of Pastor Antonio Ormeo. The wedding happened at Padre Faura. It may have influenced reconciliation between associations later.
After the eviction, a temporary chapel was built in Project 6, Quezon City. The Bible School moved temporarily. It went to Fellowship Center Church in Sampaloc, Manila. The church spread out into four congregations. These were Onyx, Pildera, Victoria Homes, Sikatuna, and Project 6.
In 1976, a three-story building began. It was for the ABCLVM Bible Institute. The ABCLVM headquarters were there too. The project finished in 1980. Help came from brethren in Singapore. In 1981, the Bible Institute was dedicated. A four-level church building was constructed. The Bible Presbyterians in Singapore mostly financed it.
In 1984, four daughter churches became autonomous. They shared the burden of supporting missionaries.
Faith Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith. It demonstrates resilience and dedication. The church has been serving its community for decades. It continues to spread its message. The message is of hope and transformation.